Siva as Nataraja (King of Dances)

The Nataraja (King of dances) posture depicts the moment of his dynamically. Here, the creator aspect is signified by the drum in the upper right hand, standing for the primordial sound. The preserver aspect is indicated by the posture of benevolence and fear not, of the lower right hand., standing for the granted consequent on the kindling of the fire of wisdom in the aspirant’s heart, the fire that is held in his upper left hand.

The fire is lighted with one’s total surrender at the feet of the Lord as suggested by the lower left hand pointed to the feet. The dance itself and the fire encircling the image stand for thee destruction of evil propensities once we open ourselves up to him, for in destruction lie the seeds of regeneration toward the state of divinity. At he base of the image evil personified is shown as equilibrium that the primordial elements – sattva, rajah and their base. The crescent moon on his forehead signifies the gradual awakening of divine consciousness in us. The snake means the awakening of the divine energy, as has already been indicated. The vehicle of Shiva is the bull which stands for our animal nature that has bee brought under his total control.